Gurugram reeling under 70% rain deficiency, it may get worse

The India Metereological Department (IMD) cautioned that the gap could increase further over the next one week since there is hardly any chance of rainfall.

Stating that Gurugram is reeling under rain deficiency of 70% this pre-monsoon season, India Metereological Department (IMD) cautioned that the gap could increase further over the next one week since there is hardly any chance of rainfall.

Gurugram and other districts of Haryana such as Hisar, Fatehabad, Jind and Panchkula have reported massive rain deficiency. (Parveen Kumar/HT photo)

A senior IMD official said, “While Gurugram usually receives around 26.9 mm of rain between March 1 and May 30, this year it has received only around 8.1 mm, which has resulted in a 70% rain deficiency.”

Delhi too is reeling under rain deficiency but the gap for the city stand at 29%, the official added.

Other districts of Haryana such as Hisar, Fatehabad, Jind and Panchkula have also reported massive rain deficiency. Worst hit is Hisar, which is reeling under 83% rain deficiency.

IMD scientists, however, said almost all states in northwestern India are reeling under rain deficiency.

Rajasthan, with a deficiency of 67% , is the worst hit. While Punjab has been reeling under 53% rain deficiency, Himachal Pradesh has rain deficiency of 42%. Haryana, meanwhile, is reeling under 31% rain deficiency.

On Thursday, the maximum temperature of Gurugram was recorded at 42.6 degrees. On Wednesday, it had shot up to 45 degrees Celsius.

Rain, thunderstorms and dust storms at regular intervals help keep the rising mercury level under control during the pre-monsoon season.

“This year, there has been very less rain — both in the winter and the pre-monsoon season. The western disturbances had hit the hilly regions but deprived the plains of northwest India of any rain. Besides, there has been intense heat across Pakistan and West Asia. The IMD has already predicted that summer would be harsh this time, particularly in northwest India,” said AK Jaswal, a former IMD scientist.

(With inputs from Sonali Verma)